THE Meralco Bolts fielded an import-less lineup, and the Blackwater Bossing were quick to capitalize, naling a 114-98 win on Thursday night, December 12, in the 49th PBA Commmissioner's Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

Blackwater snapped a three-game slide, barging into the win column behind the explosive games of Sedric Barefield and import George King.

Barefield erupted for a game-high 33 points while King unloaded 32 points and 14 rebounds as the Bossing pounded the Bolts, who also played without locals Allein Maliksi and Raymond Almazan.

Stand-in import DJ Kennedy failed to suit up for Meralco due to an injury. Kennedy was brought in to replace Akil Mitchell, who was out due to a broken nose.

Christian David added 17 markers for Blackwater while James Kwekuteye had 10.

The Bolts dropped to 3-1 (win-loss), leaving the NorthPort Batang Pier (5-0) and the Barangay Ginebra Kings (1-0) as the only unbeaten teams in the mid-season tournament.

Despite not having an import, the Bolts still took an 86-85 lead late in the game. The Bossing, however, avoided disaster by staging a blistering 16-3 run to take control of the match.

Chris Newsome topped the Bolts with 22 points, with Bong Quinto adding 19 markers and Cliff Hodge chipping in 13.

THE SCORES:

BLACKWATER (114) - Barefield 33, King 32, David 17, Kwekuteye 10, Suerte 6, Ilagan 6, Chua 4, Casio 4, Montalbo 2, Hill 0, Guinto 0, Jopia 0, Escoto 0.

MERALCO (98) - Newsome 22, Quinto 19, Hodge 13, Black 12, Jose 8, Rayson 7, Rios 5, Torres 5, Caram 4, Pasaol 3, Pascual 0.

QUARTERSCORES: 28-21, 48-49, 83-79, 114-98.(CCM)

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• #49th PBA Commissioner’s Cup
• #Basketball
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• #Sedric Barefield
• #George King